1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

This engine is close to me and has been sitting out in the weather for 30 years. The guy is asking $100 for it. Would this engine have the crankshaft some of the posts talk about putting into 8BA engine?

Re: 1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

Let's see if the pictures upload this time.

Re: 1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

3rd time a charm.

Re: 1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

Re: 1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

I can't tell for sure if that is even a 59 series engine. It has the heads but the back bell has no 59. It could be wartime or very early post war production. A head would have to come off to verify it by the deck port characteristics. In any case, it likely had the type of crank that has full floater bearings so it's not the same as the 8BA family unless it was changed or possibly a Canadian 69A type engine. It should have 69A on the front if that were the case.

The commonly sought out crankshaft is the Mercury 4-inch stroke crankshaft made from 1949 through 1953. It uses locked insert bearings and has two oil ports per rod journal. The 59 series and earlier only have one oil port per rod journal.

If it's not rusted too bad inside, it might clean up since your not in a real bad freeze up part of the world. You are in an area that can get a lot of rain though so unless it was filled with oil inside then it's likely too rusty to work with. The crank & rods might still be good though. It wouldn't be a total loss if there are usable parts.

Re: 1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

Most likely, the Mercury crankshaft you're referring to is the 4" stroke variety. It came only in '49-'53 Merc engines with 255 cu. in. 1941 Mercurys had 239 cu. in., which was larger than the Ford's 221 cu. in. This was the result of the early Mercs having a 1/8" larger bore than the Ford blocks. Those same early Mercs (before '49) had a 3-3/4" stroke just like the Fords. DD

Re: 1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

Thanks guys, that was the info I was looking for. I knew I read it in a thread on this site, but could not remember the years. I will write it down this time.

Re: 1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

The little boss on the back bell next to the oil pressure port was not on many of the prewar engines. The Canadian engines were the first to put a boss back there for their production of universal carriers with the external oil cooler set up. Most of the Canadian ones were finished with an oil port there. That one is not finished, very much like the 59 series engines post war. The deck ports will confirm what engine it is but a head will have to come off.

Some 59 series didn't have the 59 on the back.

Re: 1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

NO!! Not unless some hot rodder put it there.

Re: 1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

3739ford: $100 divided by 30 years means that he wants $3.33 for each year it was allow to rust away.

He should give it to you just to get rid of it as it's only worth scrap metal price.


Ron is correct. Walk away and save your $100 for another day.

Re: 1941 Mercury 59A-B Question?
 

I have walked away and not looked back. I'm not actively looking for Mercury crankshaft, but if one is in my backyard I would consider it. I know what years now and will just keep eyes and ears open.

Thanks to everyone.